THE International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has granted a further seven day extension on its original deadline, which expires today, to allow the board of World Equestrian Games (Ireland) Ltd a further chance to try and reverse the Government's no funding stance for the 1998 Games.
Speaking from FEI headquarters in Lausanne, the federation's secretary general Professor Bo Helander confirmed the extra week's grace for the WEG Ireland project yesterday. "It was the executive board's decision that we would give the WEG organisers a week and, if absolutely necessary, they would get another week. But next Friday is the final deadline. We need a definite answer by then."
WEG Ireland is seeking State funding of its operating costs of £500,000 for the next two years and a further submission is to be made to the Department of Tourism and Trade this afternoon. Minister Enda Kenny is in Taiwan until the beginning of next week, but WEG Ireland has secured an undertaking that its document will be faxed out to the Minister immediately on its receipt.
In a further blow to the WEG board, hopes of a £1 million rescue package have been dashed. Princess Haya, daughter of King Hussein of Jordan, had offered to intercede on behalf of WEG Ireland, but no funding has resulted from the move. However, WEG chairman Conor Crowley yesterday stated that the WEG board members are involved in active negotiations with several other parties for similar sums.
Meanwhile, the Army Equitation School's bid to secure a place on the Atlanta three day eventing squad for former show jumper Castlepollard got off to a bad start when the 13 year old was hit by travel sickness on the journey to this week's three star international at Saumur in France. The gelding was held over for reinspection at the first trot up and, although he was passed at the second attempt, he has been dropped from the Irish team and now takes part as an individual.
David Foster (Callatrim) and Mark Barry (Unisson Collonges) both performed their dressage tests yesterday, earning scores of 64 and 66, to finish in the top half behind early leader Marie Christine Duroy on a mark of 46. Castlepollard and Captain Gerry Flynn are some way off the pace on a score of 90 penalties.
Karen Connolly (Ivanovich) and Lucy Thompson (Nobleman III) ride their tests today.
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